While I have a very nice HTPC setup (speakers, receiver and the like) I don't sweat the audiophile details. I plug it all together and both sound and the video are very acceptable to me. Repeating a bit, I like the ASrock because it is small, quiet and I can start it up with my Harmony. Even with ROHQ Blu-Ray the cpu is loafing.
I think you could do the same.
FastKayak / Larry
Thanks Larry. I really appreciate the help. I too am attracted to using my Harmony to boot up the PC. Very nice.
Can you help a bit on
how significant this BluRay playback problem is? My current old-ass PC plays back 24/96 FLACs through MC just wonderfully. The program is fast and I have no problems. So video is really the only reason I am looking for a new PC. Have you noticed this repeated frame every 40 seconds? Is it even perceivable? A major screen glitch every 40 seconds would most likely bother me.
The comments above about the fps and refresh rate is a little troublesome because I would like this PC to be relevant for a few years.
Am I correct in my understanding that the older "Vision 3D" models dont have this Bluray issue?
Also, a few reviews I have read say that the ASrocks run extremely hot. Have you noticed this?
LASTLY, this may be a VERY silly question but, for audio I use the Juli@ because it offers auto-sample rate switching, 24/96 through optical and is ASIO compliant. If I used the ASRock/Sandy Bridge spdif output would I be losing any of those features? How would I output audio in MC, WASAPI? I am guessing it is not ASIO compliant.
Thanks so much for helping me you guys. I am about to pull the trigger and dont want to drop $700 only to find out I am in no better position than I am currently.
Cheers!
Patrick